Computer simulation studies on the interactions between nanoparticles and cell membrane

In recent times, nanoparticles (NPs) have received intense attention not only due to their potential applications as a candidate for drug delivery, but also because of their undesirable effects on human health. Although extensive experimental studies have been carried out in literature in order to understand the interaction between NPs and a plasma membrane, much less is known about the molecular details of the interaction mechanisms and pathways. As complimentary tools, coarse grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) and dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations have been extensively used on the interaction mechanism and evolution pathway. In the present review we summarize computer simulation studies on the NP-membrane interaction, which developed over the last few years, and particularly evaluate the results from the DPD technique. Those studies undoubtedly deepen our understanding of the NP-membrane interaction mechanisms and provide a design guideline for new NPs.